'Like the Wisconsin State Fair all in one basket,' CBS 58 gets a look at the 2023 Sporkie and Drinkie finalists
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin State Fair kicks off in just one week. But before the gates open, judges will pick one fair food to reign supreme.
More than 30 vendors competed in the 10th annual Sporkies competition.
"This program really pushes our vendors to be as creative as possible to come out on top with the best dish," said Tess Kerksen, the Wisconsin State Fair Public Relations Director.
Just eight finalists remain, and on August 1, 2023, a group of celebrity judges will pick one vendor to display the large spork trophy at this year's fair.
"I always have four or five new items on my menu it's what people want to see. Something different something new," said Slim McGinn of Slim McGinn's Irish Pub.
We’re at .@wistatefair this morning getting a first look at the #sporkies and #drinkies finalists! Tune in at 7:30 to see What @SazsMKE has to offer! @WurstBar_MKE and Slm McGinn’s pictured! pic.twitter.com/ixoXkEUiG4
— Amanda Becker (@AmandaBeckerTV) July 26, 2023
This year, Slim McGinn's finalist is the Irish Dipper. It's a juicy Irish beef and onion cream cheese spread on a sandwich and ready to be dipped in a stout Irish gravy.
Like McGinn's, some vendors choose savory foods.
With just one year under their belt at the Wisconsin State Fair, The Wurst Bar is competing in the Sporkies with a Beer Cheese Wisconsin Lava Cake.
Others, like Camp Bar, went with a sweeter option. The Porkie is Wisconsin custard topped with chocolate-covered bacon and cheesecake bites among other things.
And Bud Pavillion mixed the best of both worlds with their Sweet and Savory Funnel Cake Fries.
"It's kind of like the Wisconsin State Fair all in one basket," said Leeanne Hock, owner of the Bud Pavillion.
New to the state fair this year is the Drinkies competition. There are four finalists including the Cotton Candy Lemonade from Saz's
"Once we decided we were going to do a cotton candy lemonade we thought oh this is going to be simple oh we're done," said Curt Kluth, owner of Saz's.
But that wasn't the case. Just like a Sporkie, the Drinkies requires careful consideration of all ingredients.
"Then we realized the cotton candy it melts right when it hits the ice. So, we tried probably about 15 different cotton candys. Diff colors diff flavors," said Kluth.
Your cotton candy is guaranteed to not melt, even during the hot Wisconsin summer days.